Yellowknife – Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) are preventable, treatable and in many cases curable. However, these infections remain a significant public health concern in Canada and around the world. Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, on behalf of Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, announced $1 million, through the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund (CAF), …
Nova Scotia – Nova Scotia is expanding eligibility for the meningitis B vaccine to students living in university residences. It has added two groups to those considered at a higher risk of invasive meningococcal disease: People aged 25 and under, living in a dorm or residence for the first time, and which has 13 or more young adults who share …
Toronto – Last year, as the disease spread around the globe, Canada experienced its first major mpox outbreak. Increasingly, zoonotic diseases that were once contained to one geographic region are becoming worldwide health emergencies. On May 11, 2023, the World Health Organization announced that mpox no longer constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Even though the current …
Ottawa – The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recognizes that community-driven initiatives are fundamental to understanding the roots of vaccine hesitancy and fostering confidence in vaccination. As such, PHAC has partnered with community organizations to support increased access to credible and culturally appropriate information and education on vaccines, helping individuals make informed vaccination choices for themselves and their families. …
Brazil – Brazil has declared an animal health emergency for six months after 1st-ever case of avian influenza virus in wild birds has been detected, according to agriculture minister. Brazil is the world’s biggest chicken meat exporter with $9.7b in sales last year, has confirmed at least eight cases of the H5N1 virus in wild birds. Antiviral medications can be …
Geneva -The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) continues to meet regularly to assess the implications of SARS-CoV-2 evolution for COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition and advise WHO on whether changes are needed to the antigen composition of future COVID-19 vaccines. In April 2023, the TAG-CO-VAC indicated that the advisory group would convene at least twice in 2023: once in …
London – Researchers say weight loss medicines Ozempic and Wegovy by Novo Nordisk, may allow obese people get amazing results but they are not safe. These weight loss medicines carry lean mass that includes an individual’s bones, organs, and muscle — more than actual fat which can prove to be troublesome for one’s body.
Washington – The Food and Drug Authority’s advisory committee still has to decide the future of Pfizer’s RSV vaccine for infants in the US. It is given to pregnant mothers, and if approved, it will become the first RSV vaccine to be administered to infants, which according to the experts is a “big deal.”
London – Positive high-level results from the FLAURA2 Phase III trial showed AstraZeneca’s Tagrisso (osimertinib) in combination with chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to Tagrisso alone for patients with locally advanced (Stage IIIB-IIIC) or metastatic (Stage IV) epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Safety results and discontinuation rates due to …
Ottawa – Health Canada, in its advisory, has warned against purchasing unauthorized prescription drugs from the website, Dr Pooja. the site sells pills labelled to contain mifepristone and misoprostol, commonly used as morning after pill used as a form of emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy in unprotected sex case. The agency says it could be ineffective, expired, mislabeled, subject to …
